Packing list
Europe summer trip packing list
Pick the length of your trip and whether you are heading south, where it is hot, or north and central, where summer is mild and changeable. Clothes are capped for a laundry stop, and rail and church items appear when they apply.
Documents and money
Clothes
Footwear
Small extras
Bags and valuables
Health and toiletries
Electronics
Tips for this list
- Choose a route with a laundry stop around day seven. Plan the clothes for that stretch and not the whole trip.
- Cover shoulders and knees at churches with a scarf rather than a second outfit; it also keeps the sun off.
- Reserve the sights that sell timed entry on the days when you are fresh, and keep the evening free.
- Take sockets seriously: pack one multi-port charger and one adapter for the whole group instead of one per person.
Questions
Which plug adapter do I need for Europe?
Most of continental Europe uses two round pins. The UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta use a three-pin type, and Switzerland and Italy have some sockets of their own. Check the countries on your route and pack an adapter that covers them.
How many outfits for two weeks in summer?
About a week of tops and underwear, plus a wash around the middle. The list caps tops at seven and bottoms at five, so two weeks and three weeks are packed the same way.
Do I really need a money belt?
Not necessarily, but a zipped bag worn in front is wise on busy trains, markets and queues. A hidden pouch keeps the passport and a spare card separate from the wallet you use for coffees.
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